The report said, “All four helicopters have been in a ramshackle condition for a long time due to unavailability of spare parts”. The cabinet division has also informed the prime minister’s office in writing that it would need a lot of money to refurbish the helicopters so they are fit to be auctioned.

Manufactured by Bell Helicopters , the American government had presented two UH-1H helicopters between 1971 and 1974 and two between 1992 and 1993 to Pakistan as a gift for “relief and rescue” activities. Since these helicopters were originally intended for relief operations, they can also be equipped with ammunition — another hurdle in the public auction.